… to be annoyed my son is missing break for yawning?

[DameBaggySmith]

My 7 y o is missing break tomorrow for yawning in class. He can be prone to being distracted and the child sitting next to him was already told off. However, he informs me on this occasion, all he did was yawn. The teacher then asked him if he yawned, rolled her eyes at him then put his name down to miss break.

AIBU to think this is insane? Especially as a) they are only allowed access to water at break time which he often forgets and yawning can be a sign of dehydration and b) he's waiting for an ADHD assessment so giving him less chances to burn off energy isn't going to help.

Obviously there is a chance that my son isn't telling the whole truth… which I will investigate, but if he is, I think this is ridiculous.

Readers be honest , who yawned just reading g the OP? I did several times.

Yawning is involuntary and ‘catching’ see a yawn, read a yawn, think about yawning - all you want to do is yawn.

This seems an unfair consequence and I would take it further with the teacher

@Strictly1 And it will backfire on the parents. If you teach children to ignore rules and that they don't have to respect the authority of teachers, they will struggle with self control and discipline. Often they refuse their parents instructions and rules as well.
Teachers don't impose sanctions for rule breaking for a laugh. Why would they want to create detentions? But without classroom rules there will be no learning, that I do know.
But as Monty Python so rightly said "There's no pleasing some people."

Sounds fairly likely that he was messing around with his friend and its only one break time so I wouldn't be getting involved with this. Talk of dehydration is a bit silly.

I would be annoyed that missing break time is seen as a suitable punishment.

Children need to have a chance to move and decompress. And to play. Play is not a "nice to have" for children. Some break time at least is a need not a privilege. We wouldn't withhold food or water as a punishment, it seems barmy to withhold fresh air and movement and expect behaviour to improve.

This is why I left teaching.

Ugh, is it really worth an email to the school for 1 break time missed. I'm sure he will still get a drink and toilet break.

Fuck being a teacher - emails coming in over a yawn.

You'd be better off taking the teachers word for it, since it sounds like this isn't a regular thing and telling your DS "sometimes unfair things happen, just suck it up this time and don't do it again. If you yawn again, do it quietly and apologise if you get caught".

This happened to my son once, I was pretty pissed off at the school since he has problems with chronic constipation and bad guts.

Then he leaned over in a McDonald's, cocked his leg, held his knee up and let out the most thunderous fart with full force, vibrating off their plastic chairs. Scrunched up face for full animation too - extra bonus points there.

I still giggle thinking about it now. The shock horror mixed with disbelief. It was such bad manners but I have an awfully childish toilet humor when it comes to farts so I laughed my way through telling him off.

I told him never complain to me again about being told off for farting at school, because he adds too many theatrics to it for it to be appropriate in class.

Missing breaktimr is a punishment for the teacher who has to supervise so not done unnecessarily ime.

That's horrible for the people eating nearby.

I agree .

So, you think this happened as the child said?

Really? You think that it's just a yawn?

That's a total joke tbh. I'd be phoning and making sure he doesn't miss break.

I wouldn't have posted if I didn't think it was genuine.

As I've said, I'm open to the fact I'm wrong, but given the conversation we had about it, I think he was genuine.

I generally would have a similar conversation and I did initially assume something else must have happened, however on this occasion I believe him to be telling the truth.

I’m not of the opinion that my children are angels who do no wrong, and completely agree children should have consequences if they act out.

Absolutely right and not sure a seven year old always has the best memory nor would admit he did anything wrong.

OP let it go. please don’t be that parent. He learns a lesson either way.

I remember being told to get out a primary class thirty years ago for yawning! In the house I grew up in both parents did foghorn yawns without covering their mouths so I thought that was normal!

Christ. I remember one time in class I was really concentrating on what the teacher was explaining and annoyed / distracted by the two girls talking beside me. Just as I turned and told them shhhhh the teacher turned and saw me interacting.

I was sent immediately to the detention hall and had to stay there through lunch. The two girls tried to defend me but the teacher was brusque.

It was a funny story when I told my family later. It actually taught me a life lesson too that things don't always go your way.

I cannot imagine any universe where either of my parents would have contacted the school or teacher to query it.

It was one break.

talk to - rather listen to - the teacher. You don’t have the full story here.

I'm wondering about the school's approach to behaviour overall. What did you mean when you mentioned that there was a time when children weren't allowed to run in the playground?

It doesn't need to be, does it? As long as the children to which the rules apply know what is expected of them behaviour wise that's what matters.

Quite clearly some of the children don't know what rules apply, otherwise I wouldn't be having to discuss with my child why he might be in trouble for a bodily function.

Yes, I think this is my growing concern.

Re the running - the children were told multiple times as break they weren't allowed to run. Some of the parents discussed this with the head who said that wasn't the case. It then kept happening, and more parents contacted school. The issue was that the break supervisors were implementing their own rules, until the head stepped in.

Yes but as you have yourself admitted you aren't really sure whether it was an involuntary bodily function yawn or an exaggerated for comedic effect one. I am sure your son knows the reality.

Yawning is rude
If it’s involuntary you cover your mouth with your hand or elbow, same as with a cough or sneeze.